A depraved 45-year-old police officer who tried to persuade a mum to have sexual activity with her own young children was jailed for a year today.

Disgraced Adam Leighton-Price, of Priory Road, Portbury, Bristol - who was sacked last month by Avon & Somerset Constabulary after 25 years service - pleaded guilty at Gloucester crown court to encouraging an adult online to engage in sexual activity with a child under 13 between 14-17 November 2017.

He also admitted three charges of having extreme pornographic images of bestiality in his possession on 18th November 2017.

Those images included video clips of a 'man being raped by a bull' but were mainly 'females with dogs' the court heard.

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Mr Moorhouse urged a suspended jail term with 'a treatment programme given the brevity of the offending'.

Judge Lawrie said: “I have concerns about what this man was doing. What baffled me was the very young age of the potential victim.

“In truth is there a bit of a dark corner of his soul?

"The offence is within the band for suspension, but can it be suspended? That is the question.”

After adjourning the hearing on Friday and considering the case over the weekend the judge ruled today that he could not suspend the sentence, saying: “It has to be immediate, which is a matter of regret, but what you did cannot be ignored”.

He said Leighton-Price 'does not appear to be able on the face of it to confront what he has done'.

“You were encouraging a breach of trust between mother and very young child.

“There was a degree of planning, not significant, but there was calculation and the contrived information you put on the website.”

Alongside the jail term, Leighton-Price was ordered to sign the sex offender register for ten years.

Commenting, following the sentencing of Leighton-Price, an NSPCC spokeswoman for the South West of England said: “By committing these dreadful offences, Leighton-Price has betrayed the position of trust he held in the community as a police officer, and would have been all too aware of the devastating impact that sexual abuse has on children.

“His appalling behaviour came to light when someone contacted the NSPCC Helpline, and we would urge anyone concerned about a child to speak out as it could save them from serious harm. Trained advisors are available on 0808 800 5000 to discuss their concerns and, if necessary, take action on their behalf.”

Children can contact Childline to discuss any worries they may have on 0800 1111 on online at childline.org.uk